Children from as far away as California and even Europe visited Norfolk Academy’s campus this summer, while classes were not in session.

They were participating in Summer at the Academy, six weeks of academic, athletic, fine arts, and specialty camps.

This summer’s program had its highest participation level in years, with more than 1,800 registrations, Director Anita Pozin said. Children ranged in age from rising kindergartener to 12th grade. The program is open to the public, and more than half the students who came do not attend Norfolk Academy.

More than 100 camps were offered, an increase from previous years, Pozin said. That included a bulked up academic schedule, including robotics, medical school for teenagers, sports broadcasting, and SAT preparation.

New highlights included a dance camp led by Norfolk Academy Dance Master Elbert Watson; instrumental strings; field hockey and lacrosse; and two fun camps based on books - the Harry Potter series and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

“Hobbit Camp was a week of great stuff,” said Brody ’26. “The best was building a fire, earning a fire bead and then having tea time!”

Cooper ’26, Brody’s brother, agreed.

“All of the There and Back Again parts of The Hobbit were great fun,” he said.

Zach Minor ’18 has been a counselor at Summer at the Academy the past few years. He took part in the camp when he was in school and enjoyed it so much that he wanted to give back.

“It builds a community feel,” Minor said. “The kids are amazing. They bring the energy just as much as the counselors do.”

Chris Stuart has sent children to Summer at the Academy for almost a decade. They have fun, but Mr. Stuart sees other benefits. It’s a good way to get them used to the school, he said. And it’s a good place to send relatives who are in town for a visit.

This summer, all five of Stuart’s children – Brody, Cooper, Chance '25, and daughters Darby ’31, and Shelby '23 – attended various camps.

“Nobody does summer camp like Norfolk Academy does,” Mr. Stuart said.

Labor Day just passed and this summer is over. But Ms. Pozin is already working on what she can add for next year. She’s thinking about a foam party and parents’ night out, where counselors will play with children so mom and dad can have a date.

Registration begins about February 1. That’s less than five months away!